One of the tasks that tends to be problematic is the OD finishing of tube material. From hand finishing to placing tubes in a lathe there are all manner of ways people try to work with tubes. In reality there is a much more simple and fast way to do it that it seems many are not aware of. There is the centerless style of machine most have seen where the tube spins while being processed. Many are not fans of these due to the risks of the spinning tube. If there is a bend to the material the tube can flail around and get out of control. They also tend to be aggressive in a general sense as far as material removal. If you have nasty rust covered material with severe pits they would be the best option. 

Today we're launching a series of blog posts about automated and semi-automated tube finishing solutions. This is the first of four parts.

Tube finishing doesn't have to be a manual operation. Centerless grinding can efficiently finish straight tube, and now planetary grinding machines can aid the finishing of tubes of various shapes, including previously bent workpieces.

The demand for high-quality finishes on tubing has risen over the years, much of it driven by increased use of stainless steel in the medical, food, pharmaceutical, chemical processing, and construction industries, combined with the need for painted, powder-coated, and plated tubing.